When you send your student off to college you hope and assume that he will be successful. Most students are successful and do well. However, some students struggle – either socially or academically. No parent wants to receive the news that his or her student has been academically dismissed from college because of poor performance. It is distressing and disheartening news. But it does happen, and parents need to help students deal with the situation. Although you may be disappointed, and possibly angry, your response may be a large factor in helping your student move forward.
Here are some things to consider if your college student is academically dismissed from college.
What does academic dismissal mean?
A student may be academically dismissed from a school for failure to make “satisfactory academic progress”. This may mean various things and may be defined differently by different schools. Generally, it means either that the student’s GPA or Grade Point Average is too low (she received poor grades) or that she has not made satisfactory progress by completing enough credits (she dropped or withdrew from too many courses each semester). A student who does not make satisfactory progress may then be dismissed or told that she can no longer be enrolled in the college.
Should your student appeal the decision?
In some cases, a college may allow a student to appeal the decision to dismiss. The purpose of the appeal is usually to allow the student to explain extenuating circumstances or to provide additional information that may not have been available at the time that the decision was made. He may be able to demonstrate that some circumstance has changed – perhaps a health situation, work situation, family situation, or even a change of focus or field of study. It is important that you and your student remember, however, that an appeal is meant as an exception and to demonstrate extraordinary circumstances. It is not meant as an avenue simply because the student is unhappy with the decision of the college. An appeal may not be in the best interest of the student.
Should your student apply immediately to another college?
If your student is dismissed, his first thought, and yours, may be to apply immediately to another school. This may be appropriate. However, before doing that, you and your student may need to consider what factors caused the problems that warranted his dismissal. Jumping immediately back in may not be the best solution.
Has your student taken time to reassess?
A student who is academically dismissed from college is not doomed to failure. You may need to help your student view this as a time to reassess his abilities, behaviors, and priorities. He was originally admitted to the college because of his abilities and potential, but something has prevented him from living up to that potential. Now is a time to step back and reevaluate. Before you and your student decide to immediately appeal the dismissal or to apply to a different school, consider carefully whether taking a break may be the best course of action for your student.
Would some time out be beneficial?
An academic dismissal from college happens for a reason. Something has prevented your student from succeeding. She may need your support more than ever now to think about how to proceed and how to use her time off. For many dismissed students, taking a break from their current routine and setting may be the best path to success, even if it involves an unexpected detour. Your student may decide to spend a year working to gain experience and perspective. Your student may decide to take a course or two at a local community college to achieve some success and/or explore a new area of study. Your student may need to move back home for a semester or a year to achieve some balance and focus. How you respond to this situation will help your student know how to respond. Helping your student see this as an important, if unplanned, step in her path will help her to use the time constructively.
Should your student apply for readmission or reinstatement?
In most cases of academic dismissal, the student may be eligible to apply for readmission or reinstatement after a certain period of time. This is different from appealing the decision at the time of dismissal. One thing that your student will have had time to consider during his time off is whether or not he wants to return to the same institution or to transfer to another college. If he wants to return, he should check the policy of his college. Most schools require that a student “sit out” for a semester or a year. When students apply for readmission, the college may be looking for certain factors. They will be looking for indications from the student that things will be different if he returns. He may be asked to submit a personal statement giving a compelling argument that he has addressed whatever challenges he had prior to dismissal. They may be looking for successful completion of some credits at a community college or some other institution. They may ask whether social, family, or personal issues have been addressed.
Is your student prepared for a fresh start?
If your student has used time off from his college productively, he may be ready to return to school with a renewed focus and a new outlook. Many students who have been dismissed return to their previous college – or another college – and are completely successful. Helping your student see this time as an opportunity rather than a set-back will mean that he can use the time off to his advantage. This may not be the path that either of you originally had in mind, but it may be a path that, in the long run, will be most beneficial to your student. Having your support as a parent will help him to discover and accomplish his goals.
Related Posts:
What FERPA Means for You and Your College Student
How Parents Can Help College Students Value Their Mistakes
Helping Your College Student Avoid “How Do I Tell My Parents?” Fears
What to Say to Your College Student Who is In Trouble, Dismissed, or On Probation
Academically Dismissed from College? Time for a Reset
Academically Dismissed from College? Ten Steps to Move On
Hi Vicki,
I was recently dismissed from a city university in NY after my first year there and I am currently attending Bakers College online. Is it possible to transfer back to a city university in NY if I get an associates degree from an online college? Is there any chance that I will get accepted into one of the better universities if I manage to get 3.7+ gpa along with an associates degree?
Thank you for your time!
Hi Sam,
Congratulations on feeling that you have your depression under control. Obviously, that can cause more of a barrier to success than many people realize. It sounds as though you are ready for a new path.
Each person’s situation is so different, that it would be difficult for me to tell you what to do. You will need to think through the options carefully. The one thing that I would suggest is that if you feel your summer classes are going well, you might want to finish them out and get the credits. Whether you stay at the same school or end up transferring, you will have more credits.
Taking some time off to work and go to a local community college is often a good option. It will give you time to let things settle, gain some confidence, and earn some money at the same time. You can decide whether you think a quarter or a year would be best as you go along. Then you can also think about whether to reapply to your current school or to transfer for a new start.
Good luck as you move forward.
Hey Vicki, I was recently dismissed from UC Santa Barbara for the Fall 2012 term. I appealed my case but was rejected the past Monday. I’m currently in summer school here at the university but with the given news, I feel a bit demoralized.
I’m planning to either quit my enrollment of summer school and go back home and start the next semester (or the semester after that) at a community college or stay here and continue to be enrolled in summer school at Santa Barbara and try to salvage my GPA.
I’m heading into my 5th year in college (credit wise, I’m barely a Senior, just broken the Senior status barrier 2 wks ago) as a Math major. My academic career has been very disappointing (2.12 GPA overall). I have major depression disorder throughout the last 4-5 years and thought I could manage it on my own without any help but unfortunately, I couldn’t and because of that, my grades suffered along the way. Not until recently, I met with a psychiatrist who prescribed me new medication for my depression. I feel more normal and level-headed now. It’s too bad because I thought this could have began a new beginning towards academic success entering my Fall quarter and beyond.
That said, I don’t know what to do. Should I take a quarter, 2 quarters, 3 quarters, a year off and start working/taking cc classes? Can you help me? Thank you for your time.
Hi David,
Lizzie has good advice about checking community college websites for application deadlines. Many may still be taking applications or might at least let you register for a class or two.
See my advice to Lizzie, above, for some suggestions about taking a break for this semester and using the time to work and learn more about your chosen major and profession.
Remember that this is a detour, but not necessarily the end of the journey. Keep perspective, have a plan, and you will keep moving forward.
Hi Lizzie,
Telling your mother that you’ve been dismissed will certainly be difficult, but obviously, it is important that you be honest. Think carefully, and honestly, about what happened and about what you think your next steps will be. It is often easier to tell your family what has happened if you also take responsibility (don’t blame the college or the professors) and if you can talk about your next steps. Knowing that you have a plan should help your mother worry less about what is next.
As far as changing major to appeal, that probably depends both on your major and on your institution. The right choice of major is crucial to your success, so don’t change your major just for an appeal. If the major doesn’t seem right, perhaps that is one reason why you have not been successful.
Taking a break from school for a semester to work might be a good thing to do. It will give you time to think about why you are “bored” in school, consider your major, get some work experience, and save some money. You might use the time to do some informational interviews with people in your chosen field to learn more about the job market and what courses will be important. Then, if you go back to school at mid-year, you will have a fresh start.
Good luck!
@ David I think it depends on the community college that you are planning on attending. For example, the one I plan on going to still takes applications, but acceptance will come at a later date. What I am trying to say is check the website and its application process. If it says that they will still take applications, then do so. Though I would suggest that you try and see if the classes that you want to take will be available first. It would not make sense if you can get in the school, and would not be able to take classes.
Hey Vicki, recently I was dismissed from college from failing two classes which resulted in a low 1.3 GPA. Right now I think its too late to apply to community college and my college sent me a letter that it is too late to appeal and would be reevaluated on Spring 2013. What should I do? Should i wait ’til next spring and reapply? Or should I work? And I’m not sure if community colleges application accepts after august.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Vicki,
I have been put on Academic Dismissal and I have a few questions:
1. I am worried about telling my mother. The reason why is that this has happened before, and I did so well coming back from that setback, only to have it happen again. What do I do?
2. My mother said the last time that if I had changed my major when I appealed last time, I would have gotten back in. Is this true?
3. I was thinking of taking this “break” to attend a community college and work, but I think the monotony of college work got to me (all I did was get up, go to classes, come home and do homework, sleep, repeat). Would that be a cause to put in my appeal or no?
Hi Sarah,
Your situation sounds complicated and something that you will need to give some serious thought to. I can only suggest a couple of things for you to consider as you make your decision.
I would try not to compare your situation to anyone else. Another student may or may not have been dismissed for a similar situation, but you need to consider what is best for you. Think carefully about what might happen if you are reinstated. Do you see yourself succeeding? This may require some difficult thinking and some honest answers to yourself. If you haven’t been able to achieve the success in your classes up to this point, do you think things will be different if you continue? Perhaps you should take some time and/or rethink your direction. Although it may seem unfair to you now, perhaps the school administration understands that students who cannot accomplish a certain GPA at this point will ultimately not be able to complete the program. They may be saving you from wasting a lot of tuition money.
Consider carefully what your ultimate goals are and whether this is the best or only way to achieve them. If you believe that you need to do this and you believe that you will be able to succeed, then that will help you know what to do. If not, then consider a different direction. Does your school have a career office that might help you think about alternative paths?
Take time to make the right decision. Good luck!
Hi Jazzy,
Unfortunately, I can’t answer your question about receiving your financial aid and repaying your previous loans. Financial aid is a very specialized area and I would suggest that you ask for a meeting with someone in your school’s financial aid office. They will be able to explain the process to you. If the financial aid office can do anything to help you be able to attend the school, I’m sure they will. Their job is to make it possible if it makes sense.
The one thing I would tell you, though, is that if/when you are readmitted, make very sure that the problems that got in your way are resolved. You don’t want the same thing to happen to you again. If it makes sense to take a semester off to get everything settled, you might want to do that. Be sure that you can manage both financially and family/health issues. Don’t jump back in too soon.
Good luck!
Hi Vicki,
I was recently dismissed from my program after a 2.44 gpa after 2 semesters. The first semester I received a 2.62 and the second semester I received a 2.35 and that made my gpa a 2.44. We have to have a 2.7 gpa for this medical school. The dean decided to dismiss me and I appealed with the president. The president said I could come back if I took 2 of the hardest classes of my first year and got B+ in. Unfortunately I did not get B+ in those classes and was dismissed without further appeals. What should I do? Its very hard because I already have two degrees and don’t understand what happened here. I’m considering consulting an attorney because the dean dismissed me initially, but a guy in my class that had the exact same situation as me except he flunked a class our first semester and his gpa was much lower got to stay and the dean didn’t even dismiss him. I’m confused and I don’t know if I should just cut my losses, fight till the end, or just stay there and enter into pharmacy program in another year.
Hi my name is Jazzy. I just recently got suspended from my college at the end of Spring 2012 and now Im appealing to get readmitted for fall 2012. Some family issues and health problems was occuring with me at the time and made me missed 60% of my class days. By me missing all those day the teachers withdrawn me from all the classes and now I owe the school 3,000.00 back. By me being withdrawn from the college messed my financial aid up and now all my loans got sent back to the lenders. I appeal back into school and got admitted back. My question::: Is I’m going to get my financial aid back, and do I have to pay that 3,000.00 back or financial aid going to cover all that in the fisical/financial department.
Hi Cathy,
Your situation is not unusual. Many students have difficulty with college because they aren’t focused and don’t know yet what they want to do. Congratulations on feeling that you have found your direction! Of course, every college has different policies about students in difficulty and about readmission. I’d suggest talking to someone in Admissions and being honest with them about your difficulties the first time and why you think this will be different. You may be asked to write a letter or essay about what you will do differently this time. If the same college won’t work, investigate other possibilities. Although you might lose some credits if you transfer, one advantage might be that you would start with a clean slate and a new GPA. Talk to Admissions people. They are usually very helpful. Good luck!
hi. this college thing has be giving me nightmares. i was on probation during my 2 year on college then i transferred to a community college and that didn’t work out either; i was on probation again and then suspended. it’s been awhile now and i finally figured out what i wanted to study, what should i do now to get into the same college?
Joe and Michelle,
Thanks for sharing your stories. Being dismissed is distressing – but it can be an important message that obviously something wasn’t working. It’s hard to think creatively right now, but you will need to find a different path to your goal. Give yourself time.
You might think about taking a year away from school to work or intern and get some real world experience and perspective. It’s probably not what you planned, but it can be very useful time. While you are doing that, work hard at defining and clarifying your goals. Make sure you know what you really want – and then think about all of the steps required to get you there. At the same time, consider one or two classes at an open enrollment school such as a local community college. Prove to yourself that you are capable of getting some strong grades. If you do well, think carefully about what is different – why can you do it now, but couldn’t do it earlier? Is it the subject matter, your lifestyle, your focus?
After some time away, you’ll be ready to decide what’s next. You can apply for readmission to your previous school or transfer to another school. You’ll have some experience and a few good grades to show them that things will be different.
Be open minded and creative in your thinking. Remember that there is more than one path toward your goal. Good luck!